Freezing Temps and Your Home's Outdoor Water Supply

10/30/2020 (Permalink)

How to turn off and drain outdoor water lines and faucets

Before the first freeze of the season, be sure to turn off your home’s outdoor water supply and drain the exterior pipes, including any outdoor faucets and hoses:

1. Locate and turn off the outdoor water shut-off valve. Your home’s outdoor water shut-off valve is usually located near the ceiling, on the inside of the wall where the outdoor faucet is located. If the outdoor shut-off valve is tap- or knob-style, turn it clockwise, or to the right, to shut it off (remember: righty-tighty, lefty-loosey). If it’s lever-style, turn the lever clockwise or in whichever direction the “off” arrow is pointing.
2. Disconnect the hose. Turn off your outdoor faucet by turning the knob all the way to the right and disconnect your outdoor hose. If there’s a nozzle on the hose, turn it on so that any additional water can drain out of the hose before you store it for the winter.
3. Drain the pipe. Once you’ve removed the hose, turn the outdoor faucet back on to allow any remaining water to flow out of the pipes. When the water stops flowing, turn the faucet off.
4. Drain the inside valve. Return indoors and place a bucket under the shut-off valve, then open the drain plug to allow any remaining water to flow out of the valve. The drain plug usually looks like a small metal cap located on the side of the shut-off valve. Once all the water has drained out, close the plug or cap.

If your home has multiple outdoor water sources, you’ll need to repeat these steps for each one.

Source: Economical.com